Each day, our country’s servicemen and women – distinguished individuals and dutiful leaders in their own right – serve to protect us from domestic and international threats. They make selfless sacrifices, jeopardizing their lives for the sovereignty of our country, the preservation of democracy and all of our individual freedoms.

This legislative session, the General Assembly recognized the countless contributions veterans and the armed forces make in Indiana and abroad. Multiple bills are now law that support Hoosier veterans and help them find employment opportunities following active duty. We have made a concerted effort to get veterans the support they need and work to lower the post-9/11 unemployment rate, which is currently at about 16 percent. The number of veterans that are out of work is astonishing and completely unacceptable, and I made it a priority to continue our efforts to make sure Indiana was extending a helping hand to pull veterans up by the boot straps and get them back on their feet.

A lot of the time it starts with having the right education and skill sets for today’s marketplace and connecting the dots between the practical benefits of military training and private sector opportunities. The tangible skills are just as noticeable as the intangible skills, where a strong work ethic, professionalism and leadership can make a real impact.

I supported the creation of the Second Service for Veterans program, which provides guidelines for universities on how they handle College-Level Examination Programs (CLEP). CLEP exams are designed to give students credit for skills they have learned since high school in the course of their job or military experience that could take the place of a college course. This law will help military veterans find work and receive proper credit for the skills they learned while serving our country.

We also need to support female veterans, and sadly, Indiana was one of only a few states without a women veterans program, which help them access important services and programs that they are entitled to upon completion of their service. Women currently make up about a quarter of the military, and the Hoosier Women Veterans Program will help serve the needs of women who have served our country and personally sacrificed so much for freedom.

For those veterans that have fallen on hard times, the state established the Military Family Relief Fund, which is funded through the sale of “Support Our Troops” and “POW/MIA Hoosier Veteran” license plates. Previously, there was a limit on when these funds would be available to veterans and their families, but the Legislature removed the restrictions and gave preference to those who have never received support. The Indiana Veterans’ Affairs Commission will set a maximum amount that can be given each year.

These are just a few of the many laws now in effect for veterans and their families. Other laws include simplifying the process for communities to have Memorial Day celebrations, additional funding for veterans’ disabilities clinics and much more. But even with all of these new laws, we can still do more. Veterans have made so many sacrifices for each of us in upholding our liberties and keeping us safe. I will continue to support our men and women in uniform and work to create more opportunities for them in our community.

I hope everyone has a great Easter weekend and is able to enjoy it with family, friends and loved ones.

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